What is Foreclosure in Augusta, Georgia?

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Foreclosure is the legal process by which the lender in a mortgage arrangement takes possession of the property (usually a house) that secured the loan. This is done when the Augusta, Georgia debtor has repeatedly failed to make their payments. Foreclosure usually results in the property being sold in an auction. Banks usually want to get rid of the property as soon as possible, even if it means taking a financial hit, and an auction is the easiest way to do this.

In every state, including Georgia, borrowers have the option to go through foreclosure by judicial sale. This means that the auction will be overseen by a court, to make sure that the bank makes an effort to get as high a price as possible (to increase the chances that the entire balance will be covered, as well as the odds that there will be some money leftover for the borrower). In many states, original mortgages are considered non-recourse loans, meaning that if the house is foreclosed and sold for less than the debtor owes, the bank cannot go after the debtor for the remainder. You should consult with an Attorney in Augusta, Georgia to see if this is the case. However, this usually doesn't apply if the mortgage has been refinanced.

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Georgia?

First and foremost, you should not ignore the possibility of foreclosure. Failing to respond to collection calls from your lender will not make the problem go away. As unpleasant as this might seem, you should stay in contact with your creditor, and be honest with them. One should remember that banks generally don't want to take your house in Augusta. They issued your mortgage expecting to earn a profit on the interest. Taking possession of, and selling, your house is a last resort for them. Therefore, if you are honest with them about your financial situation, they are likely to make reasonable accommodations to prevent you from defaulting.

If you can't work anything out with your lender, or have become completely unable to make any mortgage payments, a "short sale" might be a good option. This allows you to sell your house for whatever price it can get, and hand the proceeds over to the lender. If the sale price is less than the balance of the loan, the rest of the debt might be forgiven. There is also the option of a "short refinance," which forgives a significant portion of your mortgage debt, and refinances the rest.

How Can A Augusta, Georgia Attorney Help?

If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Augusta, Georgia Attorney might be your best hope for staving it off. Even if keeping the house proves impossible, a good Lawyer can minimize the financial effects.

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Life in Augusta

Augusta, Georgia is a city consolidated with Richmond County, Georgia. This means that the government of the city and the county are one and the same. As of 2008, the Augusta-Richmond entity has a population of 195,000 people.

Augusta was founded in the colonial era, and was the second established town in what was, at the time, a British colony named Georgia.

Augusta, Georgia has recently seen an economic boom, thanks to a large concentration of businesses in the medical and biotech industries setting up shop there. It is home to the Medical College of Georgia, the state's only public medical school, and also offers a program in dentistry, graduate degrees in nursing, and others. This college attracts students from all over the country, increasing the local consumer base, and provides over 7,000 jobs.

Augusta is also home to Fort Gordon, an U.S. Army base that houses significant elements of the Army Signal Corps, and has about 30,000 occupants.

Needless to say, Augusta, Georgia lawyers need to be well-versed in several areas of law to stay competitive. The sheer diversity of industry and demographics in the area mean that there is almost certainly an Augusta, Georgia lawyer who is right for you.